Porch furniture



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L. B. WHITTINGTON El AL PORCH FURNITURE Original Filed Sept. 12, 1935 Aug. 24, 1937.

70 By @Mm A ilorney 1937- B. WHITTINGTION ET-AL 2,090,971

PORCH FURNITURE Original Filed Sept. 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ttomey Aug. 24%, 1937 gotten roncn FURNITURE Leo B. Whittlngton and Calvin A. Whittington; Brundidge, Ala.

Application September 1 2, 1935, Serial No. 40,310

Renewed July 6, 1937 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to that classification of structures broadly catalogued as furniture but has more specific reference to that subdivision which includes out-of-doors special furniture such as so-called lawn and porch furniture, that is chairs, benches and the like.

Being more of the primitive and rugged variety this particular group embraces mostly the style characterized by hard slat equipped seats and back rests. The present invention, while possessed of these requirements, has to do with the incorporation therein of both features of design to appeal to the critical eye and features of utility devoted especially to the form-fitting refinements adapted for comforting relaxation by' the occupant.

In carrying the principles of the inventive conception into practice and while attempting to remain within the realm of simplicity and economy we have discovered how to construct porch furniture whose range of distinction is not a radical departure but is appreciably different from the standardized construction and similar known constructions in the art to-which the invention relates.

Painstaking efforts and in keeping with a desire to improve upon what the market now offers the trade I have devised a unique structural assembly which is characterized in one instance by a well balanced form fitting seat designedly different from known structures in that it embodies a marginalframe, abutting slats, bracing and reinforcing means and a plurality of spaced parallel specially shaped battens utilized for 5 strength and durability but serving primarily as the means of shaping the slats to provide the desired contour. V

A further feature of the construction is predicated upon the incorporation therein of a back 0 rest including a frame having requisite'shape and proportion and embodying vertical stiles susceptible of being readily cut in duplicate pairs from a single piece of stock.

Other features of coordination and balance promoting the desired rigidity and shape will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding details throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a rocking chair embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Figure 4 is a detail horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail in section of the back and arm connections, and

Figure 6 is a detail in side battens.

By way of introduction it is to be pointed out that the construction which we have herein shown and are about to describe in detail is applicable to straight chairs, benches, swings and the like. We haveutilized a rocking chair however to dis,- close the principle. Referring to the drawings it will be observed that this includes, among other parts, a plurality of vertical comer uprights III which may be designated as the posts, these being somewhat in the nature of struts and located between the rockers II and the top boards l2 which are shaped to function as the arm rests. The

intermediate portions of these uprights or posts are built into the seat construction l3 as shown for example in Figure 6. The seat comprises a frame which includes front and back rails l4 and I5 together with complemental side rails or panels I6. The parts I 5 are in the nature of substantially rectangular boards and 'their upper edge portions ll extend above the corresponding edges of the members I4 and I5 but are flush with the lower edges. In both instances the rails l4, l5 and iii are fastened between the intermediate portions of the uprights or posts I. This jointing of parts is shown in Figure 6 wherein it will be observed that a connecting bolt l8 extends substantially obliquely through the post and is fastened to a diagonal cleat I9 disposed between the adjacent end of the respective frame members or rails.. This provides for rigid reinforcement. The blocks I9 in addition to serving as stabilizing cleats function as rests for the two outermost battens which are confined Within the limits of the seat frame. These battens are denoted by the numerals 20. As indicated and shown in Figure 3 there are three of the battens and the two outer ones rest at their opposite ends on the blocks H). In other words the blocks are proportioned in relation to'the rails l4 and I5 to permit the straight edges of the batten to rest thereon and to provide the desired flush formation of the upper edges required to give the requisite shape to the seat. The seat forming slats 2| are arranged in abutting relationship and are confined between the rails l4 and I5 ina transverse direction and between the side rails IS in longitudinal direction. The slats terminate in a plane below the projecting upper edges l1 6 perspective of one of the of the rails IS. The battens 20 give the proper shape or contour to the seat forming slats. The rear ends of the battens are relatively narrow or of short vertical dimension as indicated at 22 in Figure 8. The opposite or forward ends are widened and then of longitudinally curved form as shown at 23 and this rounded shape provides the proper foundation for the slats which are superimposed thereon. Thus, it will be seen that this frame construction is a refined development and not to be confused with the ordinary multiple rail and slat assemblage.

We call attention now to that unit of the structure which may be described unitarily as the back rest 24. This may be said to include mainly a substantially U-shaped frame including a top or head slat 25 mounted in notches 26 in the upper end portions of the two spaced parallel vertical stiles 21. These stiles are so cut in shape as to permit them to be struck out readily from rectangular pieces of stock. In this way it is permissible to practically cut the stiles out in duplicate pairs. from the stock. The stiles thus made are tapered at their opposite ends and the lower tapered ends 28 are cut off obliquely so as to permit rigid fastening of the thus flattened faces to the rear frame rail i5. (See Figure 5.) The curved inner edges 29 are important in that they provide the desired foundation or attachment 30 for the spaced apart slats 30. This gives the back rest a desired curvature to conform more or less to the back of the average occupant. 1 will be noticed that the rear ends of the arm rests l2 are formed with extensions which project -beyond and provide the desired inclination and mounting for the back rest. These extensions are indicated at 3|. as detailed in Figure 7 the intermediate portions of the stiles 21 are fastened by bolts or the like fit flush or even. It is believed that this methodof bolting the intermediate portions of the stile of the back rest frame to the extension 3! is an innovation. Most assuredly it provides a dependable and reliable adaptation of features.

We have pointed out before how the stiles 21 may be easily sawed or cut out from rectangular pieces of stock in an economical way, and we might also add that this is also possible with the formation of the aforementioned battens 20. In other words the battens are cut out two at a time and this is manifestly an advantage to the manufacturer.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary. do Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

As shown in Figure 2 and Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new is:

1. As a component part of an article of furniture of the class described, a form-fitting seat comprising a frame including front and back rails and intervening side rails, the upper edge portions of the side rails projecting to a plane above the corresponding edges of the front and back rails, and seat forming slats confined within the limits of said rails, the ends of said slats abutting the inner surfaces of said side rails, and the front and rear edges of the slats abutting the inner surfaces of the front and rear rails, and the useful surfaces of the portion of the slats adjacent 'said front and rear rails being substantially flush with the upper edges of said front and rear rails to form a continuous seating surface.

2. As a component part of an article of furniture of the class described, a form-fitting seat comprising a frame including front and back rails and intervening side rails, the upper edge portions of the side rail projecting to a plane above the corresponding edges of the front and back rails, and seat forming slats confined within the limits of said rails, the ends of said slats abutting the inner surfaces of said side rails, and the front and rear edges of the slats abutting the inner surfaces of the front and rear rails, and the useful surfaces of the portion of the slats adjacent said front and rear rails being substantially flush with the upper edges of said front and rear rails to form'acontinuous seating surface, together with a series of battens mounted within the limits of said rails, predetermined portions of said battens being longitudinally curved to underlie the slats 'and to provide the desired contour I for said slats.

3. An article of furniture comprising a plurality of supporting legs, an arm rest on the upper end of the legs, a form fitting seat supported by said legs and including front and back rails and intervening side rails, the upper edge portions of the side rails projecting to a plane above the corresponding edges of the front and back rails, seat forming slats confined within the limits of said rails, the ends of said slats abutting the inner surfaces of said side rails and the front and rear edges of the slats abutting the inner surfaces of the front and rear rails, the useful surfaces of the portion of the slats adjacent said front and rear rails being substantially flush with the upper edges of said front and rear rails to form a continuous seating surface and a. form fitting back rest comprising upstanding stiles connected at their lower ends to the back rail of the seat and connected intermediate their ends to the arm rests, said stiles having their forward edges concave and slats extending across and attached to the forward edges of said stiles.

LEO B. WHITTINGTON. CALVIN A. WHITTINGTON. 

